Red Hand Defenders claim Coalisland shooting
The loyalist Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for paramilitaries who are supposed to be on ceasefire, has claimed responsibility for a shooting in Co Tyrone that was blamed on the IRA earlier today.
Father-of-two Stephen Quinn was hit in the shoulder when a gunman fired up to nine shots at him outside his home in Coalisland.
Locals had accused the IRA of attempting to murder him because of his alleged drugs links, but the Red Hand Defenders claimed the attack in a phonecall to a Belfast newsroom this afternoon. The RUC has said it is unsure who was involved.
Meanwhile, the RUC have arrested the shooting victim in connection with an ecstasy and cannabis seizure in January 1999. Mr Quinn was wanted for questioning in relation to the seizure and was arrested today in hospital in Belfast.
Today’s shooting was the second attempt on Mr Quinn’s life since the £620,000 drugs find.
